Africa-Press – Namibia. A MEMBER of Nudo, Joseph Kuandenge, has accused the Namibian government of handling the shooting of Namibian civilians by members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) with kid gloves.
Kuandenge made these remarks during today’s parliamentary session after the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, gave an overview of a bi-lateral agreement signed between the Namibian and Batswana governments after a high-level delegation visited the Zambezi Region, as well as the Chobe River bordering both countries.
Nandi-Ndaitwah stated that the visit, which took place from 2 to 3 September, was aimed at solidifying the desire for a peaceful co-existence, following mounting tension after four unarmed fishermen consisting of three brothers and their cousin were gunned down by the BDF.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, who read a statement on the strengthening bi-lateral ties, however, made no mention of the outcome or progress of the case of brothers Tommy Nchindo, Martin Nchindo and Wamunyima Nchindo and their cousin, Sinvula Munyeme, who were killed by the BDF earlier this year.
Kuandenge stated that there has been a growing rhetoric amongst those in the Zambezi Region that the Namibian government is treating Botswana with kid gloves.
“We understand your statement on the complexities of resolving border issues, however, some have expressed that the Namibian government is not firm enough on the killings done by the BDF,” Kuandenge said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, however, defended government’s approach on the matter, stating that the two countries are currently not at war, and that both sides have decided to resolve the matter amicably.
“Whilst the Botswana side of the Chobe River mostly consists of parkland, the river on the Namibian side has a lot of communities that have settled on the river plains and depend on the river’s resources for survival. We have ensured through our agreement that the people who live along the river can access this resource without intimidation from the BDF. That is what we discussed and that is what we agreed on,” Nandi-Ndaitwah explained.
The minister further stated that the Shoot to Kill policy in Botswana is no longer in existence as confirmed by the President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi.
